Trace element analysis of Belgium flint mine products

In order to identify the sources of the raw material of flint artifacts, G. de G. SIEVEKING et al. (1972) proposed and tested a method of trace element analysis on flint. They analysed eight elements: Phosphorus, Aluminium, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Potassium, Sodium and Lithium on 179 flint samples from seven flint mine or axe factory sites in England and from three flint mining areas on the Continent. By discriminant analysis, a technique of multivariate statistical analysis, they were able to differentiate sufficiently flint originating from the ten investigated sites on basis of the results of analysis of the eight trace elements. They expressed the hope that their investigation would lead to further study of these problems, suggesting the rich flint workshops and mines in Northern France and Belgium.